Nikon D7000 Vieo Focusing

Was curious as to if anyone else has this camera or has messed around with any Nikon high quality video.

Everything works great, and when I focus/zoom in on something when I'm standing still it will come out crisp and clear, but if I move a few feet back and re-zoom the picture is very fuzzy. Every time I hit the camera button to re-focus the lens (without actually taking a picture)... it just ends my video.

I was wondering if there's a way to re-focus the camera lens MID video...?

Focus has everything to do with distance from your subject. When you zoom in and focus on a subject that is 10 feet away from you, the camera/lens will be focused on all objects that are 10 feet away. turn around and point your camera the other direction, the objects that are 10 feet away will all be in focus.

unfortunately, your nikon body will not allow for autofocus while recording. Most large sensor cameras will not auto focus, your nikon d7000 included.

Your Nikon lens is parfocal, this simply means that when you zoom in to an object that is 10 feet away and focus in on it, the focus will remain 10 feet away when you zoom back out. not all lenses are like this, several panasonic lenses change focus as you change focal length (zoom in/zoom out)

Best way to counter this is to keep an eye on your subject and turn the focus ring as you move closer or further from the subject. It takes some practice, I make a career out of being able to do it accurately, and people pay big money for someone with a skill set like that. Other than taking the time to learn how to pull/push focus, you can simply purchase a camcorder that does autofocus on it's own..?

Focus has everything to do with distance from your subject. When you zoom in and focus on a subject that is 10 feet away from you, the camera/lens will be focused on all objects that are 10 feet away. turn around and point your camera the other direction, the objects that are 10 feet away will all be in focus.

unfortunately, your nikon body will not allow for autofocus while recording. Most large sensor cameras will not auto focus, your nikon d7000 included.

Your Nikon lens is parfocal, this simply means that when you zoom in to an object that is 10 feet away and focus in on it, the focus will remain 10 feet away when you zoom back out. not all lenses are like this, several panasonic lenses change focus as you change focal length (zoom in/zoom out)

Best way to counter this is to keep an eye on your subject and turn the focus ring as you move closer or further from the subject. It takes some practice, I make a career out of being able to do it accurately, and people pay big money for someone with a skill set like that. Other than taking the time to learn how to pull/push focus, you can simply purchase a camcorder that does autofocus on it's own..?

This is really helpful

So I can use the manual focus ring to fix my issue for the most part when shooting video?

__________________Lord, I quit the drinkin', the smokin' an' the honky-tonk life.
The day that a ring an' a preacher made her my wife.
Yeah, an' I said: "I do," but I didn't have a clue,
How I'd miss all the whiskey an' women.
I tried to be true, but it's all I can do,
Keepin' up with the Jonesin'

So I can use the manual focus ring to fix my issue for the most part when shooting video?

Yes, the focus ring can be turned while in video mode to focus manually. I'm not sure what lens you're using, I'd recommend putting the switch to Manual focus though. plenty of lenses can be focused while the switch is in auto, but some can not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebeltilldeath3

The D7000 will autofocus when recording video.

You're probably in single servo, throw it in continuous focusing.

I forgot.. Yes, the d7000 will autofocus when recording video. It doesn't do so very accurately though. :/ haha, for basic stuff, the auto focus might suffice, if you're planning to capture professional looking video clips, the only way to get accurate focus is to do it manually.

Yes, the focus ring can be turned while in video mode to focus manually. I'm not sure what lens you're using, I'd recommend putting the switch to Manual focus though. plenty of lenses can be focused while the switch is in auto, but some can not.

I forgot.. Yes, the d7000 will autofocus when recording video. It doesn't do so very accurately though. :/ haha, for basic stuff, the auto focus might suffice, if you're planning to capture professional looking video clips, the only way to get accurate focus is to do it manually.

Could I do a mix of the two? Put it in the autofocus mode + use the manual ring if its not 100% how I like it?

I forgot.. Yes, the d7000 will autofocus when recording video. It doesn't do so very accurately though. :/ haha, for basic stuff, the auto focus might suffice, if you're planning to capture professional looking video clips, the only way to get accurate focus is to do it manually.

Yeah, it hunts like crazy. If something changes, unless you're in perfect lighting, it will damn near go lock to lock before finding focus.

__________________Lord, I quit the drinkin', the smokin' an' the honky-tonk life.
The day that a ring an' a preacher made her my wife.
Yeah, an' I said: "I do," but I didn't have a clue,
How I'd miss all the whiskey an' women.
I tried to be true, but it's all I can do,
Keepin' up with the Jonesin'

in terms of focusing using the auto focus feature on your camera, and manual focusing, I'm not 100 percent certain, but I don't believe you can do so with that lens. I'm not a nikon shooter, but I believe the focus motor is still engaged even when it's not active. This means that turning it while it is in auto focus mode will damage it.

There are a few that may know if that lens is alright to manually over ride the focus. I know the Canon equivalent does not have full time manual focus though.

AF-S on a Nikon is the rough equivalent to USM on Canon. You can override autofocus on AF-S lenses at any time, same as you can with a USM. Screw drive AF lenses have to have the focus drive disengaged before using the focusing ring.

AF-S on a Nikon is the rough equivalent to USM on Canon. You can override autofocus on AF-S lenses at any time, same as you can with a USM. Screw drive AF lenses have to have the focus drive disengaged before using the focusing ring.

Does this translate into me being able to use the manual focus ring whilst being in auto mode?

AF-S on a Nikon is the rough equivalent to USM on Canon. You can override autofocus on AF-S lenses at any time, same as you can with a USM. Screw drive AF lenses have to have the focus drive disengaged before using the focusing ring.

Not entirely true, on most kit lenses like the OP is using, there's no M/A. The focus ring is locked until you throw it into manual.

__________________Lord, I quit the drinkin', the smokin' an' the honky-tonk life.
The day that a ring an' a preacher made her my wife.
Yeah, an' I said: "I do," but I didn't have a clue,
How I'd miss all the whiskey an' women.
I tried to be true, but it's all I can do,
Keepin' up with the Jonesin'

Focus has everything to do with distance from your subject. When you zoom in and focus on a subject that is 10 feet away from you, the camera/lens will be focused on all objects that are 10 feet away. turn around and point your camera the other direction, the objects that are 10 feet away will all be in focus.

unfortunately, your nikon body will not allow for autofocus while recording. Most large sensor cameras will not auto focus, your nikon d7000 included.

Your Nikon lens is parfocal, this simply means that when you zoom in to an object that is 10 feet away and focus in on it, the focus will remain 10 feet away when you zoom back out. not all lenses are like this, several panasonic lenses change focus as you change focal length (zoom in/zoom out)

Best way to counter this is to keep an eye on your subject and turn the focus ring as you move closer or further from the subject. It takes some practice, I make a career out of being able to do it accurately, and people pay big money for someone with a skill set like that. Other than taking the time to learn how to pull/push focus, you can simply purchase a camcorder that does autofocus on it's own..?

that was a lot to just say if you focus on something 10 feet away, things 10 feet away will be in focus. lol

OP- if you focus then move, its going to be out of focus. And autofocus is for nubs when it comes to video so domt use it, But i think chris or someone already said your camera cant do that anyway.

D3100, D3200, D5100, D5200, and D7000 all have continuous af while recording.

As far as I know the AF on most of those is horrendous. My D5100 will randomly decide to try and focus on something else after it's been focused on what I want for like 5 seconds. It's just poor design on Nikon's end.

Supposedly the D5200 has an improved AF system. I can't wait to get my hands on one and try it out. If it truly is improved, I can see myself picking up a used body in the spring.